Chapter 18: Chapter 18

On their first day in Rome. Isabella was getting ready to hit the beach with the others. After updating Hannah on Madelyn’s dirty secret. She texts Hannah one last time before she puts her phone away and start looking through her suitcase for something to wear, feeling better now that she has talked it out.

“Ethan, what do you think about this new swimsuit? Tres chic, right?” Isabella glances out the window and spot Madelyn in the courtyard showing off her one piece. Isabella turns away before she could hear Ethan’s response.

If Madelyn thinks she looks fashionable in that, she should wait until they see hers. She stared at the bikini, contemplating whether to wear it or not. A smirk made its way to her lips.

“Ethan, het ready to eat your heart out.” She assured herself as she took one last look at herself in the mirror, then head out to meet the others.

Soon, Isabella and the rest drive through a quaint town towards the coast.

“Have I ever told you how I got my whole fist stuck in a pickle jar?” Tyler started but Isabella wasn't paying attention. Her eyes shifts towards Madelyn as her fingers fly over her phone. She looked so frustrated. Isabella smirked, wondering what she was up to.

She swelled hard and adjusted her sitting position to peep Madelyn's phone.

She watched as Madelyn typed in, ‘Now’s not a good time, on my way to the beach with him’. That was her mysterious lover? Could be her chance to get some more info.

“Hey, Madelyn... are you still working? What’s cooking at Jason’s Industries? I hope its not an employee acting in bad faith.” Madelyn briskly locked her screen and glanced at Isabella. “I'm not really involved in the details of day to day management... but no, I'm just texting a friend.” She then lowers her voice so only Isabella could hear. “What about you? Dressing up for someone important under that cover up?” She peeps at Isabella’s bikini. It was obvious that it was appealing but Madelyn wasn't ready to confess that.

“What are you talking about?” Isabella raises her brows as she asked the question. “Oh, are we being coy now? Good to know.” Madelyn settles back in her seat, and Isabella sighs softly, knowing she can't argue with her when the others were in the car.

Finally, they arrived at the beach, and everyone piles out of the car. Madelyn’s phone buzzes again and she pulls back from the group. “Oh, it’s the office. Go on without me, my love. I'll catch up.” She gave him a light kiss on the lips.

He turns to look at Isabella. “Wanna help me pick out a spot?” She stalls, glancing between Ethan and Madelyn. She wanted to go with Ethan but at the same time she wanted to spy on Madelyn.

She heaved a sigh, casting one last look at Madelyn before following Ethan onto the beach.”Isabella? Everything alright?” He asked worriedly. “Oh! Yes, of course, never better.” He raised a brow at her, not buying the lie. “You can tell me the truth.” She breathed out, knowing sooner or later she must bring it up. “Have thins between you and Madelyn been different lately?” He gives her a funny look.

“Nothing changed. We’re the same as we’ve always bee. But you already knew that...” She nods at him. “Yes, right.” She was not really sure what to make of that, and if the looks Ethan gives her were any indication, neither does he.

She lays out the towels in a secluded part of the beach as everyone slips out their covers. Tyler was going on and on about something when Ethan approached them, wearing his beach shorts. He smooths sunscreen over his body inches away from them, and all rational thoughts fluttered right out of her head.

Ethan turns, his eyes locking with hers. Then slowly, deliberately, he lets his gaze roam over her body from head to toe. She shiver at the intensity of it. Tyler got up from his towel and walks off as his head stayed glued to the ladies he saw.

“You look stunning.” Ethan complements, eyes still hovering over her body. “Thanks. I just got them recently.”

“It’s not just your swimsuit that makes you stunning, Isabella. But you'll hear no complaints if you decide to wear it more often.” She chuckles softly and nodded. “I'll take note.”

He smiles, then turns his attention back to the dollop of sunscreen in his hand. He twists, giving her a generous view of his chiseled shoulders and broad, rippled back. “Damn, I can’t get it. Hey, Isabella can you help me get the middle of my back? I can’t quite reach it.” She gapes at him. “Me?” His eyes meet hers, and she feels herself already getting lost in them.

“I understand if you don't feel comfortable, but I'm being serious... I really can’t reach. See?” He offers her a soft smile as he attempts to rub the sunscreen on the centre of his back and fails. “Please?” He pleaded, grinning from ear to ear.

Isabella beamed and nodded to him. “Sure, I can help you out.” He smiled and offers her the bottle of sunscreen, and she tries to focus on the task at hand, not Ethan’s gorgeous body right before her.

She took a deep breath, willing herself to be cool as she placed her hands on his shoulder. She rubs down his back, doing her best to ignore the familiar shivers of desire coursing through her body. “And make sure you rub it in thoroughly, please.” Her hands paused as she realize what he just said. “Ethan...” He flashes her a smile that’s anything but innocent. “I just don't want any white streaks down my back. Anyone would understand.”

She smoothed her palms across his back, standing close but not too close. “No one’s looking, Isabella.” She glare over her shoulder. Madelyn was still missing, and Tyler was too busy trying to flirt with the girls on the beach. They've essentially got the beach to theirselves. “Then I’ll focus on your front first.” She moves in front of him, rubbing the sunscreen tenderly over his chest, paying particular attention to his hard abs.

He looks her into her eyes and whispered. “If you keep doing that, we're going to have a situation in mu swim trunks.” She smiled, biting her lips. “Who said that wasn't the goal?” He closes his eyes and exhales slowly as her hands trail downward, caressing the V-shaped muscles tapering into his suit. “Bella...” She moves behind him and finish coating his back, head swimming as she slowly massage his bare skin. When she was done, Ethan turns and smirks at her, reaching for the bottle of sunscreen. “My turn.”

Isabella’s raised her brows, eyes wide open. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What Madelyn comes back?”

“I don’t think she will... but I won’t push you if it makes you uncomfortable.” He takes a step back to think. Her gaze drop to his hands, and she couldn't help but imagine them all over her. “I guess its okay. It’s only natural that I'd ask you to help me get those hard-to-reach places, right?” She smirked and winked at him. He smiled and warms the lotion between his palms and smooths it over the centre of her back. He was so close, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body.

“Ethan, I want you lower. My lower back has always been a problem area.”

“We’d better do something about that.” He slides his hands, massaging the muscles of her lower back. His fingers dip under her suit, just enough to tease her. “Ethan...”

He continues rubbing her long after the smooth cream has been rubbed in. He leaned in and whispered. “I've missed this...” She chuckles softly, he was so clingy. “It’s only been a day.”

“Mmm... feels like more.” He lets am unsteady breath stir the hair by her ear, and she shivers as she turned to face him. “Ethan, make sure you get under my suit too. You know, just in case the waves cause my straps to move. Gotta be protected everywhere.”

“Your wish is my command.” He slides his fingers under the top of her swimsuit and rubs them in smooth, soft circles. “Is that thorough enough for you?” She breathed out, sharply. “Yes...” His thumbs brush over her nips, and she bites her lip, fighting back the wave of tingles radiating down her spine. Her nips immediately draw to attention at his caress, and he toys with their peaks. His voice was low, almost a growl. “God, I wish I could taste you right now.” She lets her head lull back and surrender to enjoying the sensation.

After a little more teasing, Ethan slowly draws his fingers out of her swimsuit and she unsteadily refocused on the world around her.

“Hey, Isabella are you coming over or what?” Tyler calls out. Ethan steps back with a soft sigh. “All done with the sunscreen.” She mouthed, getting up from the towel. She shares one last smile with Ethan as she makes her way towards Tyler.

**

She splashes into the waves, soon forgetting all about the drama surrounding that trip. She was having so much for fun that she had forgotten she was in a business trip, not vacation. As if on cue, Ethan waves to her from the beach.

“Oh I... the executives need me to look at a new draft of the due diligence report before the end of the day.” Her plump lips curved into an O shape. “Oh... but I thought... it’s the weekend.”

“Business deals like this don't run on the standard work week. We’ve got to get this out of the way so out meetings run smoothly. Tyler and Liam are already there proofing it.” She nodded her head. She knew why he had to leave. He couldn't let Liam look better than him with the merger so close. “Hopefully this will just be a quick read-through, and I can meet back up with you for dinner.”

“Ethan? Your driver’s here.” Madelyn cuts in. “Isabella, I will send someone to drive you home later.

Later that evening, after a long day full of Madelyn. She sits across the room from Ethan and try to read her book... but she couldn't help but focus on him poring over more work documents. He returns just before dinner and goes right back to work?

She cleared her throat to try to get him to look up. “Hey, I've been meaning to ask you... where’s Madelyn?” She was the last person on his mind. “Hmm? Oh, I'm not sure. She must’ve went to shopping when you guys came back. But she told me she was would be back before I do but...”

“And that doesn't.. bother you? She's your fiancee. I'm not saying you should keep tabs on her very second of every day but it’s been hours.” He shrugs , his eyes still on his paperwork. “She gets pretty touchy any time I ask what she's up to. But no need to worry. Madelyn can fend for herself.”

Isabella was trying to think of another more subtle way to ask more about Madelyn's recent behaviour but Ethan was already completely focused on his documents again.

She scoffed, feeling irritated by his nonchalant attitude. “So, are we gonna talk about this? Or are you gonna keep ignoring me so you can work?” Her tone finally gets his attention, and he lowers his files to look directly at her. “Isabella, I know you don’t understand what happened today, but it was work emergency, you get that at least. I had to go in. Someone in leadership had to look over these files.”

“Sure, it couldn't wait till Monday.” She rolled her eyes, turning away. “I can see why you’re upset, but if I get a jump on the upcoming workload now, I will be able to be here more next week.” Isabella still wasn't satisfied with his excuses. He couldn't at least take her with him? But he had to keep leaving her with his fiancee. Was she hired for that?

“Something always comes up. What’s it gonna be next week? You’ll get caught up in some conference call, or surprised by a random investor?” He furrowed his brows, starting to feel fed up. “You don't know that. I am trying to manage my time here.”

“I do know that. After working for you fr months? How can’t I know all these sorts of things? Work always intrudes. It has a free pass.” He tosses the contract onto the couch, pages spilling everywhere. “This merger is the biggest move we have ever made and I have to focus. You should appreciate it if you'd just give me a benefit of doubt. And I already told you, this is my career, Isabella. If I don't work hard how am I supposed to keep up with the company and pay my employees and...”

“And what? Finish your sentence, and what?” She dared him but he stuttered. She could see the remorse in his eyes. He collapsed onto the couch, running his fingers through his hair. The rest of the contract spills onto the floor as she sits beside him. “You're right...it’s always work first but...” She placed her hand on his knee and gave it a comforting squeeze. “Don't beat yourself to it, Ethan. I mean you’re the boss, you should know how to control things, know who to say no.”

He smiled softly and nodded his head. She smiled back and put an arm around his shoulders. He pulled her into his embrace. “I do need a good kick in the ass very now and then.” She chuckled, “lucky for you, I'm a good ass-kicker.” She close her eyes and relish his scent as he hold her tight. Finally, they pull apart.

He gave her an earnest smile, the contract papers completely forgotten on the floor. He lays his hand on top of hers, and she blinked, looking up at him. How does every little touch always feels like so much more? “I will be right here at home whenever you need me.” He nods. “I’m counting on you, Bella.”

She smiled at him one last time, feeling lighter as she says goodnight and head to bed.

Later that night, Isabella couldn't sleep. She headed down to the kitchen for some water when she hears a scratching sound at the back door. “Who's there?” She called out. She tiptoed towards the door, when it swings open and Madelyn freezes upon spotting her.

“Oh! Hey, Isabella.” Isabella’s gaze wander across her outfit, taking note of how her tousled hair, dishevelled clothes, and smeared makeup. Caught in the act. That’s all the proof she needed. “Madelyn, I know you’re cheating on Mr. Grayson.” She gasped at Isabella’s words. “That’s ridiculous. I would never...”

“Oh come on. Smeared lipstick? Sneaking through the back door this late night? You’re totally busted.”